North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Overview
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) is a federal funding program established to protect and restore wetlands in North America. Through Joint Ventures, partners access funds for various projects across the region, with grants available for both standard and small projects. The act requires a matching fund from non-federal sources, emphasizing habitat conservation and benefit to wetland-dependent species.
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NAWCA North American Wetlands Conservation Act
North American Waterfowl Management Plan Found a need for funding to protect and restore wetlands Envisioned a federal funding program Developed a system to bring partners together to access these funds (Joint Ventures) NAWCA North American Wetland Conservation Act
Establishment Act passed in 1989 Currently authorized up to $75 Million In addition to appropriations, program funding comes sources such as fines, Federal fuel excise taxes (for coastal ecosystem projects) and interest. FY 2008 total funding = $84.4 Million Funds projects in CN, MX and the US
Act Implementation Joint Ventures are the venue through which NAWCA grants are run. NAWCA proposals should be submitted with know- ledge of the JV responsible for the project area. JV s rank multiple projects within same funding cycle. Ranks contribute to funding decisions.
Types of Grants Two types available: Standard $75,001 to $1 Million funding (3 grants funded in NM) Small up to $75,000 funding (0 grants funded in NM)
Standard Grant Requirements 1:1 match required. But best to propose at least a 2 non-federal: 1 federal dollar match. High documented waterfowl use or the ability to show that they will come Partners are everything you ll need many with several giving 10% of the request in match Location, location, location Putting land under perpetual easement or outright purchase is highly valued by the grantor as are Declining wetland types Documented benefit to other wetland-dependent birds and T&E species
Small NAWCAs are often better for areas with isolated, small or linear wetlands $2.5 Million in FY 2008 for Small Grants Program = 33+ grants
Fewer requirements: Much less writing; 5 pages maximum Fewer overall match dollars needed More emphasis on habitat than waterfowl Smaller landscapes Fewer partners Works well with riparian areas
Before you begin. PotentialRegulatory requirements after grant receipt: Acquisition support letter Historic Preservation Survey Contaminants Survey U.S. Federal restrictions on purchases NEPA
JV administrative boundaries Intermountain West Playa Lakes
How grant funds may be spent equipment expenses that are prorated; material and supply costs; annual payments for conservation agreements of at least 15 years or for the maximum duration allowed by State law; restoration or protection costs; and initial management costs.
Match Requirements Must be at least 1:1 match. More non-federal to federal is better May use non-federal funds or in-kind contributed no earlier than 2 years prior to the date the proposal is submitted or during the 2-year grant agreement period Funds cannot have been used to match any other federal funds Must send letters from all contributors, noting value of contribution, with the application
Potential Sources for matching funds Potential Sources for matching funds Bird habitat groups Bird habitat groups DU, NWTF, PF, QU, etc. DU, NWTF, PF, QU, etc. City and County funds City and County funds Civic or community groups Civic or community groups NMDGF other state resource agencies (Forestry, State Parks) NMDGF other state resource agencies (Forestry, State Parks) Private landowners Private landowners RC & D s RC & D s Soil and Water conservation districts Soil and Water conservation districts Sportsman s clubs Sportsman s clubs Tourism groups or boosters Tourism groups or boosters TNC, TPL and land trusts TNC, TPL and land trusts acquisitions or easements acquisitions or easements Tribal dollars Tribal dollars Universities and colleges Universities and colleges Volunteer efforts Volunteer efforts
Summary Small NAWCA proposals make sense for our area: Small NAWCA proposals make sense for our area: 1) relatively sparse populations; few corporations 1) relatively sparse populations; few corporations 2) few easy non 2) few easy non- -federal dollars federal dollars 3) many private landowners 3) many private landowners 4) scattered or linear wetlands 4) scattered or linear wetlands 5) few large concentrations of waterfowl 5) few large concentrations of waterfowl
Talk to JV staff. Talk to JV staff. Playa Lakes www.pljv.org Playa Lakes www.pljv.org Intermountain West www.iwjv.org Intermountain West www.iwjv.org Deadline for small grants will be November 28 Deadline for small grants will be November 28 For further information check out: For further information check out: www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Small/index.shtm www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Small/index.shtm
